Virtual Classrooms

"Probing for Plagiarism in the Virtual Classroom"
By Lindsey S. Hamlin and William T. Ryan
http://campustechnology.com/articles/39378/

The world of virtual classrooms is rapidly growing. In fact, this course is virtual. It has many advantages. For example, students are able to complete assignments, tests, and lectures during a time that best suites them. They are also able to do this from any location that has an Internet connection. Although it has many positives, many educators are skeptical about the preservation of academic integrity in the virtual classroom. They often assume that Internet technology and online classrooms are providing students with additional opportunities to cheat. I believe if students want to cheat they are going to find a way to do it, whether their classes are online or in a traditional setting. Besides, they are only hurting themselves through the act of cheating. In the traditional classroom, when tests are given, teachers often monitor the class making sure no cheating is taking place. When tests are posted online, students are not monitored, but there are ways that teachers can limit cheating. For example, online tests are often given a time limit in which it must be completed. In many of my courses, tests include multiple choice questions, short, and long answered questions. By providing questions like these, teachers can assess that their students are truly grasping the material or if they are not putting forth any effort. Many of my tests include questions that I could not answer if I did not read the text. Also because of the time restriction, you must read because their is not enough time to look up each question. Virtual skeptics have criticized online education for worsening a student's sense of "isolation and anonymity" Virtual skeptics have also criticized online education for worsening a student's sense of "isolation and anonymity". But I have found that their is a great opportunity for communication in teacher-to-student and student-to-student questions and comments. For example, all of my virtual classes offer discussion blogs where students can find out answers or ask questions. Another issue that virtual skeptics question is online plagiarism. There are so many online term paper mills out their, it is easy for a students to simply copy and paste or buy one of these papers to call as their own. Teachers can scan papers to see if they are plagiarized by having students submit their papers into such websites as turnitin.com or plagiarism.org. Educators are faced with the task of preserving academic integrity. Although it is nearly impossible to eliminate cheating in traditional or virtual classrooms, educators can deter it by using the tools available to them. The reality is cheating is always going to occur as long as there is the temptation to do so. In my opinion, virtual classrooms are excellent. After all, they allow me to continue my education while living in Canada. It is awesome that I can do all of my work on my own time and teachers/classmates are so understanding and helpful. For those that choose to cheat...let them...they are only cheating themselves.

Streaming Video

Picture This: Video Streaming to Your Classroom
http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196605182

Streaming media is the simultaneous transfer of digital media (video, voice and data) so that it is received as a continuous real-time stream. This technology is becoming a very useful tool for teachers to enhance the learning environment in their classrooms. Through streaming video, students are able to access videos to study for exams, review information that they may not fully understand, or watch the video to build on what was presented in class. Video streaming offers a great opportunity to allow both students and teachers access to a variety of quality programming to aid in the learning process. Along with streaming video, comes many advantages. Most players are free to download, which makes it available to virtually anyone. Videos are able to be viewed anywhere there is an Internet connection available, which in this day in age is pretty much everywhere! A wide variety of video and audio are easily accessible, allowing teachers to find almost anything they are looking for to aid in their lesson. Teachers are able to post links to these videos in e-mails or on web pages to make it easy for their students to locate and watch. Most importantly, streaming video is always current and up-to-date so teachers don't have to worry about teaching old, out-of-date material. Using streaming video in the classroom is a great idea in my opinion. I think it can make a lesson so much more fun and interesting. It is a good way to keep students attention and maybe to break up a boring lecture.